Hydraulic fracturing, commonly known as fracking, is a process used to extract natural gas and oil from underground rock formations. It involves injecting high-pressure water, sand, and chemicals into the ground to create cracks in the rocks, allowing the trapped gas or oil to flow freely out of the well. This method has become increasingly popular over the years as a way to access previously unreachable reserves of fossil fuels. However, there are concerns about the environmental impact of fracking, including potential contamination of groundwater and increased greenhouse gas emissions.